When it comes to gun laws, it is important to understand who can and cannot own firearms.
Gun laws vary from state to state and are subject to federal guidelines as well.
Florida gun purchase requirements
As found on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement website, you must be 21 to purchase a firearm. Exceptions include officers that are at least 18 and are purchasing a rifle or shotgun. If you would like to purchase a handgun, you must be a Florida resident. You must undergo a background check for each firearm transaction that you engage in. Additionally, the waiting time between purchasing the gun and picking it up is at least three business days, but nor more than five.
Federal and local gun restrictions
The following list includes categories of people who may not purchase firearms under federal law:
People convicted of or under indictment for a felony or with a domestic violence conviction
Fugitives from justice
People with active protection orders against them
People who renounce their United States citizenship or are in the U.S. illegally
People who use drugs illegally or face addiction problems, or those declared mentally defective or forced into treatment
People dishonorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces
In addition to the above restrictions, Florida laws restrict others from legally purchasing firearms until they meet certain requirements. These include people who commit crimes that would be felonies if they were old enough to face felony charges, people who receive an adjudication withheld ruling and people having a recent arrest for a crime that disqualifies them from gun ownership.
